While many women only think about their cervix during labor, checking it at home is a simple, empowering skill. Whether you are trying to conceive or just want to understand your body better, this guide breaks down exactly how to find, feel, and interpret your cervical position.
Key Takeaways
- Your cervix changes position and texture throughout your cycle, offering clues about ovulation and early pregnancy.
- To check it, gently insert a clean finger into your vagina while squatting; it feels like a round, firm nub or button.
- During ovulation, the cervix is typically High, Soft, Open, and Wet (SHOW); after ovulation, it becomes lower and firmer.
- Combine cervical checks with other tracking methods, like basal body temperature and mucus monitoring, for the best accuracy.
Why Should I Check My Cervical Position?
Getting to know your cervix puts you in control. Aside from general body awareness, tracking your cervical changes is a fantastic tool for natural family planning. It helps you pinpoint your most fertile window if you are trying to conceive and can even offer early hints of pregnancy.
We often hear about the cervix in the context of labor (the famous “10 centimeters dilated”), but it is active all month long. It rises, lowers, opens, closes, softens, and firms up in response to your hormones.
The Cervix Rocks
Is Cervical Position a Pregnancy Indicator?
You can check your cervix to see if you might be pregnant, but treat it as a hint rather than a confirmation. It will never be as reliable as a home pregnancy test or a blood draw.
In early pregnancy, the cervix often rises and becomes softer, similar to how it feels during ovulation. However, it usually remains tightly closed. This is sometimes known as the “soft, high, closed” position.
Since every body is unique, some women may not notice a distinct change right away. If your cervix feels low or firm, do not panic; you could still be pregnant. Always back up your observations with a test if you miss your period.
Tracking Fertility by Checking the Cervix
If you are trying to get pregnant, your cervix is one of your best allies. As you approach ovulation, estrogen levels rise, causing physical changes that make it easier for sperm to survive and enter the uterus.
To remember what to look for, use the acronym SHOW. During your most fertile window, your cervix is:
- Soft
- High
- Open
- Wet
Once ovulation passes, the cervix usually drops lower, becomes firm, and closes up.
What Does the Cervix Feel Like?
Your cervix feels different from the rest of your vaginal canal. While the vaginal walls are soft and spongy, the cervix feels like a round, distinct nub at the top.
To understand the texture changes, use the “Face Test” analogy:
- Infertile (Firm): It feels like the tip of your nose. It is firm and slightly springy.
- Fertile (Soft): It feels like your lips. It is soft, squishy, and yielding.
With practice, you will be able to distinguish between these textures quickly.
The walls of the vagina are also rough and irregular because of rugae, or ridges, on the surface, which gives it elasticity. The cervix is donut-shaped and completely smooth aside from a dent where the cervical opening is.
Editor's Note:
Caitlin Goodwin, MSN, RN, CNMHow to Check Cervical Position
There is no need to be nervous. This is your body, and exploring it is perfectly safe and natural. Follow these simple steps to perform a cervical check.
1. Wash Your Hands Thoroughly
Hygiene is non-negotiable. Before touching your vagina or cervix, scrub your hands with warm water and soap. You want to avoid introducing bacteria or germs that could cause an infection.
If you have an active yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis, skip the check until it clears up to avoid irritating the area further.
2. Find a Comfortable Position
Gravity helps here. Most women find it easiest to squat on the floor or stand with one leg propped up on the edge of the bathtub or toilet seat. These positions shorten the vaginal canal, bringing the cervix closer to your fingers.
Try to relax your pelvic muscles. If you are tense, the muscles will tighten, making it harder to reach.
3. Reach In and Up
Gently insert your index or middle finger into your vagina. Slide it upward and toward the back. Your cervix is not always perfectly centered; it might be tilted slightly to the left, right, or back.
Feel for that round, nub-like structure. If you feel something that stops your finger, you have found it.
4. Record Your Findings
Make a mental note or write down what you feel. Ask yourself:
- Is it high (hard to reach) or low (easy to reach)?
- Does it feel soft like lips or firm like a nose?
- Does the opening feel slightly open or tightly closed?
Consistency is key. Check it at the same time every day, as the position can shift slightly from morning to night.
You can also check your cervical mucus while you are there. The fluid on your finger is a great indicator of where you are in your cycle.
Dangers To Checking Your Cervix
Generally, checking your cervix is safe if you have clean hands and short, trimmed nails. However, there are times you should stop immediately.
Important Safety Warning
Additionally, relying solely on cervical checks for contraception or pregnancy confirmation can lead to errors. Always use this method in combination with other data, like cycle tracking or basal body temperature.
Tips for Checking Your Cervix
Here are a few pro-tips to ensure you get the most accurate information from your checks.
1. Don’t rely on Dilation
Many women hope to feel themselves dilating before labor starts. However, you can walk around slightly dilated (1 to 3 centimeters) for weeks before active labor begins. Conversely, you can be closed tight and dilate rapidly once contractions start.
2. Previous Births Change Things
If you have given birth vaginally before, your cervix might never close completely tight again. It may always feel slightly open, like a slit rather than a round dimple. This is normal. You can still track fertility by focusing on the texture (soft vs. firm) and height (high vs. low).
3. Pair With Mucus Tracking
Your cervical position and cervical mucus are controlled by the same hormones. They tell the same story.
- Fertile: Egg-white consistency (stretchy, clear, slippery).
- Infertile: Sticky, tacky, or dry.
- Early Pregnancy: Often thick, milky white discharge known as leukorrhea.
4. Avoid Checking After Sex
Sexual arousal causes the vagina to lengthen and the cervix to move. Checking immediately during or after sex will give you inaccurate results. Wait a few hours for your body to return to its resting state before performing a check.
Cervical Position FAQs
What Time of Day Should You Check Your Cervical Position?
You can check it at any time, but doing it at the same time every day is best for consistency. Many women prefer checking in the evening or after a shower when they are relaxed.
Can You Check Cervix Position Lying Down?
Yes, you can check while lying down, but it may be harder to reach the cervix this way. Squatting or raising one leg usually pushes the cervix closer to the vaginal opening.
How Far Up Should You Feel Your Cervix?
This changes based on your cycle. During ovulation, it may be high and difficult to reach; during your period, it is often low and easily touched with just a knuckle or two of depth.
How Do You Know If Your Cervix is Open or Closed?
If it is closed, the opening feels like a tiny dimple or slit. If it is open, it feels wider, and your fingertip might slightly fit into the indentation.
How Do I Know If My Cervix Is High or Low?
If you can barely touch it with your fingertip or cannot reach it at all, it is high. If you can touch it easily with only a small portion of your finger inserted, it is low.
Can the Cervix Be Hard and Still Be Pregnant?
Yes. While the cervix typically softens in early pregnancy, every body is different. Some women maintain a firmer cervix for longer, so firmness alone does not rule out pregnancy.
What Does SHOW Stand For in Fertility Tracking?
SHOW is an acronym to help you identify your most fertile window. It stands for Soft, High, Open, and Wet. When your cervix matches these descriptions, ovulation is likely occurring.
